I've spent the last year learning the ins and outs of trapping Signal Crayfish in the UK. As an invasive species they are a threat to our poor little native White Clawed Crayfish and incredibly tasty to boot! I have just written a How To: on catching and eating them and if everyone got involved perhaps we can make a difference together have a look see what you think! http://www.foragesussex.com/2014/01/UK. ... yfish.html

There's an ongoing conservation project for the white-clawed crayfish (the native species) in Cornwall. I suspect that means that native crayfish can still be found in Cornwall's rivers and, if that's the case, you probably don't have a snowflake in hell's chance of getting permission to hunt for them.

There's an ongoing conservation project for the white-clawed crayfish (the native species) in Cornwall. I suspect that means that native crayfish can still be found in Cornwall's rivers and, if that's the case, you probably don't have a snowflake in hell's chance of getting permission to hunt for them.

No but the invasive signal crayfish are very pervasive down there and are hunted, the whites just released to go on their merry way. Trapping is quite popular down that way I've heard (cousin), you'd best phone your local council for advice in where etc though. :)

One of the main reasons why signal crayfish is such a massive issue is that people keep moving traps in between different sites without properly cleaning their traps and hence risking introducing the signal crayfish eggs and/or crayfish plague to rivers/lakes where the native crayfish still have strong populations.

When fishing for crayfish it is very important that you rinse, clean and dry you traps completely and ideally also disinfect them before you move them between the sites. I think this should be highlighted in the article.

I don't know Paul, but I'm guessing your local council, or whoever it is in charge of waterways and fisheries (Environment Agency mayhap ? ) will be able to tell you the wheres, whens and ifs of it all.

Maggie

Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy